"Nightline" Takes on Scientology!
Ex-Members Say Leader David Miscavige Hit Subordinates; Church Denies Accusations

Some call it a manipulative cult. Others say it's a well-established religion that helps people reach their potential.

Since its inception in the 1950s, the Church of Scientology has rarely been far from controversy. And now the Church is under attack again. Former senior insiders claim the Church's current leader, David Miscavige, has created and encouraged a climate of violence within senior staff and was frequently violent himself.

Marty Rathbun was an "Inspector General," a top lieutenant to David Miscavige, and oversaw the Church's legal affairs.

"[Miscavige] viciously beat him, knocked him to the ground," said Rathbun, describing one attack.

Amy Scobee was a Church executive who helped expand Scientology's outreach to celebrities.

"And then [Miscavige] knocked him down in his chair. Um ... to the ground, and he fell down on his back and he was laying on the ground," she said.

Bruce Hines says he was a high level auditor, a kind of therapeutic counselor.

"[Miscavige] just walked up and he hit me on the side of the head..." Hines said.

And supporting their allegations is Mike Rinder, who for many years was Scientology's main spokesman. He is now speaking out against the Church, the same Church he defended to ABC News in 1998.

"I think that there isn't a person on this earth that couldn't benefit from the teachings of Scientology," he said at the time.

Complete article at the link above.